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Posted by David Sherman [72.47.9.228] on Friday, November 19, 2010 at 11:54:33 :
In Reply to: Rigging question.. bridgeport off blocks posted by Matthew F [98.194.46.80] on Thursday, November 18, 2010 at 22:18:33 :
When I bought 2 bridgeport-style mills from a man who was closing his shop, he loaded them onto my truck by simply putting the forks under the sliding cross-head (not sure of the terminology). I expressed concern, but I could see that the forks didn't hit on any machined surfaces, and he said that was the bridgeport-recommended way to lift them. Maybe he was bs-ing me and just wanted to get them loaded, but he said he'd always done it that way. You need a rather high lift forklift to get them onto a 4' high truck bed that way, but his was up to the task. You might ask your roofer friends to give it a try.
The only problem I can see is that your mill is larger and more complex than mine and it's not clear if there is any place on the head to get the forks under. Still, if it's safe to lift the machine by the head you should be able to put a nylon sling or well-padded chain around the head somehow, and lift with that. Personally I always prefer to lift precarious loads from the top rather than the bottom. Much safer and more stable that way, assuming you have the overhead clearance and a suitable lifting machine.